Blades 2-0 Rotherham - report

9 March 2019

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United made in seven straight home league victories at Bramall Lane with a comfortable success over ten-man Rotherham.

Jack O'Connell's early opener put the Blades in control, before Mark Duffy added a second after the break, with visiting skipper Will Vaulks seeing red in the first period for a challenge on George Baldock.

For the derby against Rotherham, Wilder made four changes, with Baldock, McGoldrick, Duffy and Hogan all returning to the starting XI.

United were dominant from the start and took the lead on five minutes. Norwood's low corner to the near post was turned home by an unmarked O'CONNELL. In response, the visitors forced a couple of long throws and Wiles draw a routine save from Henderson.

On 20 minutes, the Blades had the chance to make it two. Stevens nicked the ball off Jones high up the pitch, but McGoldrick dragged an effort wide having got the better of Robertson. Eight minutes later the game swung further in United's favour as Vaulks was dismissed for a lunge on Baldock, having given possession away.

The Blades pushed forward looking for a second and this it was Fleck who had a sight of goal, but Rodak managed to hold his dipping effort. Hogan thought he'd got his first United goal in the next attack, but the assistant referee judged the ball had gone out despite Baldock's best attempts.

Three minutes of added time were indicated, and Norwood was the latest Blade to test Rodak, who unconvincingly kept out his effort from distance, the final action of note of the half.

The second period began with United in control of possession, Fleck engineered space for a shot but it was well wide. Chances continued to come United's way, but Rodak stood firm, deny McGoldrick on this occasion.

In the 65th minute, there was an eventful 30 seconds in the Rotherham box, after Rodak had initially denied McGoldrick, the play ended with the same player chipping over from close-range. A brief foray forward from the visitors was repelled, before Baldock tested Rodak with a left-footed.

The pressure continued to be applied by the Blades, but Stevens was denied by a good save by Rodak, who was then powerless to deny DUFFY from the edge of the penalty area after Fleck had beat two men from a short corner.

With the clocking ticking down there some concern for the well-being of O'Connell, but thankfully he was soon back to his feet and five minutes of injury-time brought an end to a seventh consecutive home success.